Grain-separator



(Modell) I v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. A. S. PHELPS, Jr. Grain Separatdf No. 237,589.. V Patented Feb. 8, I881.

MPHERS, PNOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON Dv C- (MqdeL) v a Sheets-Sheet 2. A. S. PHELPS, Jr. Gra in Separator.

No. 231589. Y Patented Feb 8,1881.

N. PETERS, FNOTO-LITHDGRAFMER. WASHINGTON. D C;

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(Model) A. s. PHELPS, Jr; Grain Separator.

Patented Feb. 8, 1881.

N.PETER5, PHOTU-LITHOQRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. C,

NITED STATES PATENT F FICE.

GRAlN-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 237,589, dated February 8, 1881,

Application filed March 26, 1880.

To all whom 1.27 may concern:

Be it known that I, ALGERNON S. PHELPS, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Ellenburg, in the county of Clinton and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain Separators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters orfigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the separator; Fig. 2, a side view with parts broken away and illustrating the latch and thumb-screw for holding in the desired position a horizontally-adjustable bar and a turning-rod; Fig. 3, a top view of the shoe part thereof, and part of the shell being broken away, and it illustrates the pivoting of the shoe so as to give a substantially uniform transverse swing from front to rear of shoe; Fig. 4, a similar view, illustrating the pivoting of the shoe so as to give a lateral swinging motion in the arc of a circle. Figs. 5 and 7 illustrate a modification of means for effecting the operation of mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Figs. 6 and S are sections, re-

spectively, through c o and w 'w of Figs. 5 and 7. Fig. 9 is a cross-section through the separator, showing the means for shifting from a smooth to a tremulous motion of the shoe. Fig. 10 is a section through a: w of Fig. 9, and shows the tension devices for holding the track in contact with a corrugated surface. Fig. 11 shows the relative position of track and rolls when a smooth motion is desired; Fig. 12, their relative position when a tremulous motion is desired; Fig. 13, a modification of means for holding rollers in contact with corrugated surface; Fig. 14, a cross-section through y y of Fig. 13, and Fig. 15 a section of the notched lever.

My invention relates to grain and seed separators, and has reference, first, to the means for suspending the shoe, so that it maybe changed from a reciprocating swing from front to rear 0 to a circular reciprocating swing; secondly, in

(ModeL) the combination of a corrugated surface with an adjustable track, whereby by lowering the track a tremulous motion is imparted to the screens, and by raising it a smooth motion is imparted thereto; thirdly, in combining with the frame that carries the corrugated surface and with the frame that carries the track or other device, by the aid of which the tremulous or smooth motion is imparted to the screens a tension device which will take up any wear of the parts and hold the two firstinentioned parts in contact; fourthly,in means for changing the angle of inclination of the screens; and, lastly, in the construction and also the combination of parts hereinafter particularly specified.

In the accompanying drawings, the letterA indicates the uprights of the separator; B, the casing, and O cross-braces, front and rear.

The shoe D, in which are placed screens of any number and kind, is suspended by means of rods E, two of which are represented as connected to the front of the shoe and inside of the casing, and two to the rear of the shoe and one of the cross-braces O. This'shoe, at

its upper forward end, is provided with a plate,

F, or its equivalent, and in the plate there are formed two slots, a, and an intermediate hole, I), and through the cross-brace 0, next to the plate F, there are passed one or more pins, Gr. When it is desired toimpart to the shoe a direct. uniform lateral swing from front to rear two of the pins G are passed through the brace O and slots a in plate F. At times, however, for ohaffing it is essential, in order to prevent the screen filling and to evenly distribute the grain chaff and seed over the screens, that the shoe should have more of a swing at one end than at the other, and in order to effect that change the pins are withdrawn fromboth the slots at, and one of them inserted through the brace and hole I) in the plate.

The arrangement of the parts for the first purpose is shown in Fig. 3, and the arrows there indicate the direction of the swing; and the arrangement for the second purpose is shown in Fig. 4,-in which the arrows there indicate the direction of the swing. instance the swing is straight across, while in the second it is in the arc of a circle. One

In the first IOO modification of the means by which the same result is accomplished is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, and which consists of a plate, F, flanged so as to form a groove from one end to the other, which may be regarded as the equivalent of the two slots, and with a hole, I), through the middle, the said plate being screwed or otherwisefastened to the outer edge of the upper forward end of the shoe.

The position of the parts for a straight side swing is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and for the circular swing in Figs. 7 and S, the pin G in the first instance projecting into the groove only, and in the other passing through the hole formed therein, so as to pivot the shoe at that end. By the constructions described, by simply altering the position of the pins the motion of the shoe can be changed from a straight lateral swing to a circular swing, and vice versa, in a moment of time. The advantages of such a change are obvious to the trade, and need not therefore be enlarged upon here.

Beneath the afore-described shoe there is placed another one, (referred to by the letter H.) This lower shoe or screen consists of a frame, the front and rear bars I of which are slotted vertically near the two ends, and in these slots there are journaled a series of rollers, J, each one of which is flanged at one end, and they are arranged so that the flange of one will be next to the nnflauged end of the other, thereby forming, when several are combined, a flanged, corrugated, and varying or changeable surface. This construction is regarded as superior to a corrugated or corrugated and flanged plate, because in the latter case, the surface being stationary, the corrugations will in time become to a great extent flattened, while in the former case, the rollers being turned by contact with another surface, their point of contact is being constantly changed. This lower shoe or screen, H, is supported on a screen-frame K, the front and rear bars L of which are slotted near the ends, at a point under the slots in the upper frame, and in the slots are pivoted blocks or tracks M. These tracks are formed with oblique slots 0, and I usually make one corner rounded, as represented in the drawings. Slides N, connected by rod 0 and operated by lever P, are placed along the inside of bars L and are provided with pins (7, which enter the oblique slots in the blocks or tracks M. By moving the slides N in one direction the tops of the tracks are made to assume a horizontalism, and when the screen resting thereon is moved backward and forward it has a smooth motion, as illustrated in Fig. 11; but when the slide is moved in the contrary direction one end of the track is lowered, thereby presenting to the corrugated surface of the screen above an angular bearing, so that when the screen is reciproeated a tremulous motion is imparted thereto, as illustrated in Fig. 12. The slides are moved by means of the lever 1?, which projects through an opening made in the side of the casing, and is held by means of a latch, Q, to the longitudinal adjustment given to it. The flanges of the rollers serve as guides and prevent the upper screen from slipping off the tracks.

In grain-separators constructed so that the motion of the shoes or screens can be changed from a smooth to a tremulous motion, it is quite necessary that the two surfaces by means of which the changeis effected should be held in close contact. As heretofore made these parts would operate at first satisfactorily, but from continual use the parts become worn, and no means being provided for taking up the wear, the operation of the parts fails to give satisfaction. I have therefore devised means to overcome the above defects, which means consist in combining with the two parts to be held together a tensile spring, so that as the parts become worn the spring will draw and hold them in contact. One and the better construction is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. It consists of a hanger, It, through which is passed the rod or shaft T of the elongated block U, within which isjournaled the sheave 0. The shaft T is flanged at its top, and around it is a coiled or equivalent spring, V, one end of which bears against the flange of the shaft and the other against the lower part of the hanger. This hanger is bolted or otherwise secured to a cross-bar, W, extending from side to side of screen H, and between the sheave c and the top of block U there is passed a rod, X, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 9, and 10. This rod extends from one side to the other of the separator and supports the screen K, which is secured thereto so as to turn therewith. The spring V exerting a downward pressure on the hanger It, through it exerts a like pressure on screen H and pulls it down, keeping it, or parts of it, in contact with screen K or parts thereof. In shaking the screen H sheave 6 slides along red X and the rod serves to prevent the screen H from slipping down. A modification of this tensile spring is shown in Fig. 13. It consists of bifurcated hangers R, which depend from the sides of screen H, and in the fork of the hangers there is pivoted a roller or sheave, c. From the side pieces of the lowerscreen, K, there project laterally metal or equivalent sprin gs V, the same passing through the fork of hangers 1t and bearing against the rollers c, exerting a downward pressure thereon and holding the points of contact between the two screens together.

In Fig. 13 there is also illustrated the operation of the tensile spring, showing its application to means different from those already (leseribed for changing from a tremulous to a smooth motion, which means, however, I do not herein claim, but will describe for full illustration of the working of the tensile spring. In this modification either or both the front and rear ends of the screen or shoe is provided on its under surface with grooved plates A, a portion of the flanges of which are smooth and a portion corrugated, so as to present alternately smooth and corrugated surfaces, as shown in Fig. 3. Beneath these plates there are placed slides B, which are connected by a cross-bar, c, and operated by a lever, D, and are slotted near their ends, in which slots there are journaled wheels or rollers E, provided with a central flange, a. These slides rest on double guides F, placed beneath them, and that part of the rollers E which extends through the slots fits between the guides. By shifting the slides to one side of the frame, as shown in Fig. 13, a tremulous motion is obtained, the central flange of the wheel fitting into the groove of the plate above it, while the corrugated flanges rest on the side flanges of the wheel. By shifting the slides in the opposite direction the rollers are brought under and in contact with the smooth partition of the plates, the plate resting on the central flange of the rollers only, and not on the side flanges and a smooth motion is obtained.

To operate the parts, as described,the lever is extended through the casing of the sepator, and it is notched so as to engage with a catch that is to hold it to its adjusted position.

It is desirable to have the screens constructed and arranged so that their pitch may be varied, in order that the movement of the grain or seed and chaff may be quickened or slackened. I effect that object by extending the rod X through the side of the casing and securing to the end of it a slotted plate, Y, by means of which the rod can be turned and with it the screens connected thereto, thereby changing the pitch of the screens. The screens are held at theinclination given them by means of a thumb-screw, Z, which passes through the slot in plate Y and holds the same in position.

The shoe and screens are operated by rods connected thereto and extended through the casing and connected to crank or other levers in any of the common and well-known ways,

and a particular description is therefore rendered unnecessary.

I connect together, by means of a swivel or universal joint, the screen and rod by which it is operated. This, is quite important when it is desired to change the pitch of the screens, for unless it can be done the operating-rod and its connection with the screen will become twisted and impair the effective working of the screen. I therefore connect the rod H to the screen by means of a swivel hook or eye, G, which permits the inclination of the screen to be changed without effecting the easy operation/of the rod or straining any parts of the separator.

Another way to fasten the screens at any inclination is by means of a rod passed horizontally through either end of the screen -fra-me K and the sides ofthe mill, in which are formed slots for the passage and vertical adjustment of said rod. This rod is provided with a nut at one or both ends, by screwing up which the screens are held to the inclination given them.

Another method of shifting from a tremu lous to a smooth motion is by journaling four or more flanged rollers in the cross-bars I of the shoe H, and causing them to rest on reversible rods, one side of which is corrugated or notched and the other smooth, both of which rods are cranked and journaled transversely in the screen-frame K, or its equivalent for the purpose, and connected at the cranks by a rod, by means of which they are reversed.

To supply all the usual parts of a separator, of which a detailed description or illustration has not been given, requires the exercise of no inventive genius, and is but the work of an ordinary mechanic, and the operation of all parts is manifest from the foregoing descriptiou.

Having described my invention, what I clam 1s 1. In a grain-separator, the combination of a shakin g-screen, a device forming a corrugated surface, and a tilting track in contact with the said corrugated surface, so that by adj usting the track as set forth, the motion of the screen is changed from a smooth to a tremulous motion, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a grain-separator, the combination of a shaking-screen, a series of rolls arranged, substantially as shown, so as to form an undulatin g and variable surface, and a track for the same to bear against, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a grain-separator, the combination of a shaking-screen, a series of flanged rolls arranged, substantially as shown, so as to form a flanged undulating and variable surface, and a track for the same to bear against, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a grain-separator, the combination of a reciprocating screen, a support or track for the same, a corrugated bearing between the track and screen, and a spring operating of itself, substantially as described, to take up the wear of the parts and hold them together, for the purpose specified.

5. In a grain-separator, theframe K, on which rests and slides a screen, in combination with a journal on which it is supported and adjusted from front to rear, and a device for locking the frame to its adjustment, whereby the parts will operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a grain-separator, the combination of easing B, hanging shoe D, plate F, constructed with the groove or slots 01, and hole I), and pin G, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of screens H K, rollers J, slotted track M, and operating-lever, substantially as described.

8. The combination of screens H K, a rod, X, hangers R, and spring V, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of hanger R, blocks U, shaft I, spring V, and a friction-roller, substantially as described.

for holding the screens together, said spring [0 connecting the screens and rod, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

A. S. PHELPS, JR.

10. In a grain-separator, the rod X, slotted plate at the end thereof, and a thumb-screw, in combination with a screen, for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination of slides N, tracks M, lever P, and latch Q, substantially as described. Vitnesses:

12. The combination of screens H and K, a A. M. LONG, rod for adjusting their inclination, and a spring Gr. E. HARRIS. 

